A rigorous mathematical framework for analyzing the chemical master equation (CME) with bistability, based on the theory of large deviation, is proposed. Using a simple phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle with feedback as an example, we show that a nonequilibrium steady-state (NESS) phase transition occurs in the system which has all the characteristics of classic equilibrium phase transiti...

Bistable structures associated with nonlinear deformation behavior, exemplified by the Venus flytrap and slap bracelet, can switch between different functional shapes upon actuation. Despite numerous efforts in modeling such large deformation behavior of shells, the roles of mechanical and nonlinear geometric effects on bistability remain elusive. We demonstrate, through both theoretical analys...

A developed two-dimensional Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method has been performed to investigate the optical bistability in a subwavelength metallic grating coated by nonlinear material. Different bistability loops have been shown to depend on parameters of the structure. The influences of two key parameters, thickness of nonlinear material and slit width of metallic grating, have been...

Bistability is a fundamental phenomenon in nature. In biology, a number of fine properties of bistability have been identified. However, these properties are only consequences of bistability at the physiological level, which do not explain why it had to emerge during evolution. Using optimal homeostasis as the first principle, I find that bistability emerges as an indispensable control mechanis...

Biochemical regulatory networks governing diverse cellular processes such as stress-response, differentiation and cell cycle often contain coupled feedback loops. We aim at understanding how features of feedback architecture, such as the number of loops, the sign of the loops and the type of their coupling, affect network dynamical performance. Specifically, we investigate how bistability range...

Bacterial persistence is the phenomenon in which a genetically identical fraction of a bacterial population can survive exposure to stress by reduction or cessation of growth. Persistence in mycobacteria has been recently linked to a stress-response network, consisting of the MprA/MprB two-component system and alternative sigma factor sigma(E). This network contains multiple positive transcript...

We theoretically study the effective third-order nonlinear response and optical bistability of the 3D graphene based composite consisting of graphene wrapped dielectric nanoparticles embedded in dielectric host at terahertz frequencies. Taking into account the nonlinear conductivity of graphene, we derive the analytical expressions for the effective third-order nonlinear coefficient χe3 in weak...

Leech heart interneurons (HNs) control the heartbeat of the medicinal leech. They are organized in mutually inhibitory pairs, half-center oscillators (HCOs). Biophysically accurate models of HCO and HN exhibit bistability of bursting and silence. A pulse of current can switch the HN between coexisting regimes. Characteristics of a pulse switching a neuron from silence to bursting has been previ...

1 The core model for the hybrid histidine kinase 1 1.1 Model description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.2 Positive steady states . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.3 Necessary conditions for bistability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1.4 Necessary and sufficient conditions for bistability . . . . . ...

Signal transduction networks are complex, as are their mathematical models. Gaining a deeper understanding requires a system analysis. Important aspects are the number, location and stability of steady states. In particular, bistability has been recognised as an important feature to achieve molecular switching. This paper compares different model structures and analysis methods particularly use...